Jenny Vrentas: Jets final Day in Cortland

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Jets cut afternoon practice short, will break camp in Cortland tomorrow

Published: Thursday, August 19, 2010, 7:25 PM Updated: Thursday, August 19, 2010, 7:28 PM

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William Perlman/The Star-LedgerIce pops, enjoyed by RB Joe McKnight, TE Jeff Cumberland and QB Mark Sanchez, were a camp staple.

Share CORTLAND, N.Y. -- Rookie Brian Jackson was involved in the ritual that ended morning practice. And he was central to the one that ended afternoon practice, too -- in a far more positive way.

Whether or not the players would be dismissed after only 35 minutes depended on the arm of the rookie cornerback from Oklahoma, whom head coach Rex Ryan previously boasted could throw the ball 77 yards. He only needed to throw it 65 yards today -- and he did, to cheers from his teammates.

The brief practice, in shells only, was the Jets' final one in Cortland, save a walk-through tomorrow morning.

Through 19 days of camp, offseason acquisitions Santonio Holmes, Antonio Cromartie and LaDainian Tomlinson stood out. Holmes showed off his speed and precise route-rounning, while Cromartie exhibited his athleticism and coverage abilities defensive coordinator Mike Pettine said are not far behind those of All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis. Tomlinson showed versatility as he got his most preseason work in years.

Ryan said QB Mark Sanchez showed the greatest improvement in camp, in all aspects of his game. The second-year quarterback didn't always look particularly sharp, but he had a good preseason debut Monday and is no doubt well ahead of where he was as a rookie, when he was fighting for the starting job (we'll have more on how he's embraced check-down passes tomorrow). Perhaps most importantly, he and his surgically repaired knee have so far had no physical setbacks.

Overall, the Jets made it through two-a-days remarkably healthy. The only starter to get hurt was center Nick Mangold, who sustained a head injury last week -- but not a concussion -- and returned to the practice field Wednesday. NT Kris Jenkins started out on PUP but returned by the fourth day of practice.

The Jets break camp tomorrow. Tonight, they'll close out with the rookie show, "King Ugly" award and a late curfew. After Saturday's game in Carolina, they return to Florham Park and have their annual Hofstra practice next Wednesday.

When Revis did not report to camp on Aug. 1, many in the press box speculated his contract impasse with the team would not be resolved before the team departed Cortland. That prediction was spot on. His holdout has lasted 19 days and counting, and albeit in the context of the media blackout, there have been no signs of it lifting as of yet.